How to deal with difficult coworkers

Managing difficult coworkers can be a struggle. Here’s how to work through some common scenarios  

If you’ve worked with people long enough, you will likely have had some difficult coworkers. 

Those colleagues who make the 9 to 5 a bit more challenging than it needs to be.  

Research from CapRelo, reported via Forbes, has found that 25% of employees have left their jobs due to their coworkers. 

MIT Sloan reports on a nationwide toxic work culture ‘driving the great resignation’ with a significant 40% of US employees thinking about quitting.  

But it doesn’t need to be this way. And you shouldn’t get pushed out due to a difficult office environment. 

In theory, there’s a solution for everything.  

So, here are five problematic behaviours you may be facing and how to deal with them. 

Problem: They take credit for your work 

Ah yes, this one is a classic. 

You work hard on a project and burn the midnight oil to turn around an excellent piece of work that you’re proud of. 

Only for a coworker to claim they worked on it too or that it’s actually their work.  

Or in meetings, they latch onto every contribution you make. And your ideas seem to become their ideas.  

As well as being aggravating at a personal level, the workplace is a competitive environment and you need to be showing your value.

At worst, this behaviour can dilute your perceived contribution if someone else claims unfair credit for your work or is parroting your ideas and presenting them as their own. 

Solution: Speak up, but with grace

Unfortunately, it can be hard to speak up in these circumstances without sounding petty. 

Especially as line managers typically want teams to work together and sometimes don’t care who did what as long as it’s done. 

But it’s your hard work. And businesses do care about results so your promotion and your performance bonus may ultimately be at stake. 

So, if this becomes a recurring problem, you may need to speak up to your manager, calmly stating the facts about your leadership in the project and what you’ve delivered. 

Let them know whilst you appreciate the support of the team in their respective roles, to feel motivated, you wish to receive fair recognition for your work.  

And in future, be careful how and when you share your work, try to do it in writing and around others.    

Problem: Honesty is not their policy

People may sometimes ‘forget’ the facts to fit their objectives, especially in the workplace where the structure is hierarchical and people don’t want to lose face. 

Solution: Keep written records

Keep discussions with these colleagues in the presence of others and write down what was discussed in detail, including dates and times. 

You will then have a log of events which you can present back to your manager or HR if you need to, which will help to prove your version of events. 

Problem: They gossip 

It may seem like harmless chit-chat in the staff canteen, but watch out for coworkers who constantly complain about others and never have a kind word for anyone. 

These individuals are likely gossiping about you when your back is turned! 

Solution: Stay positive 

Take the high road and stay professional and courteous at all times, even when they do not. 

“The best revenge is not to be like your enemy“

Marcus Aurelius

Keep conversations pleasant, brief and strictly work-related. 

If they are spreading harmful rumours about you, you may want to bring it to management’s attention. 

Problem: They are disrespectful 

In a professional environment, it’s not acceptable to shout or swear at others, ever.

Being disrespected is not part of your job description and you do not need to put up with it. 

Solution: Nip it in the bud 

If someone speaks to you in an insulting way, don’t let it slide. 

Respectfully remind them that you will not accept being spoken to in that manner. 

Unfortunately, the old mantra of ‘just ignore them’ doesn’t always work, especially not in the workplace. Sometimes, you need to kindly show others how to treat you.    

People act the way they do due to their own issues in life which we are often unaware of. 

So, even though it’s hard, we can be patient, whilst standing our ground and remaining professional, even when others do not. 

Ultimately, as well as your career prospects, it’s mainly you that is impacted by difficult coworkers. As it never feels good to not get along with others, and especially those who you spend so much of your time with.

The information on this page is not professional, business or lifestyle advice and is for entertainment purposes only.